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Report2019Open access

The importance of inspection and certification in sustainable production of cassava in East Africa : a case for Uganda and Rwanda

Mukasa, Settumba B.; Nduwumuremyi, Athanase; Alexandersson, Erik

Abstract

In East Africa, cassava productivity has declined in the last 20 years, yet the crop has a great potential to significantly contribute to food security and incomes for the subsistence farmers. The crop is tolerant to poor soil conditions and is resilient to the vagaries of drought and climate change. Several case studies in the East African region and in Uganda and Rwanda in particular, have highlighted the key challenges to cassava production and productivity. The production challenges are associated with the increased prevalence of pests and diseases, lack of quality (pathogen-tested) planting material, ill-defined seed system structure and lack of statutory regulations to guide the cassava seed value chain. In general, available seed and plant regulations in the region is tailored for grain crops including cereals and legumes. Seed regulations for vegetatively propagated crops like cassava are however lacking in the region. Functional cassava seed systems, guided by explicit regulations, would ensure development and promotion of appropriate varieties, relevant inspection and certification regimes. In this report, we provide key intervention areas that can strengthen a sustainable cassava seed system that ensures availability of quality planting material in adequate quantities at the time of planting. Emphasis has been put on aspects that can guide policy development to support sustainable cassava seed systems and viable cassava value chains for food and income security.

Keywords

cassava; Uganda; Rwanda

Published in

AgriFoSe2030 Report
2019, number: 18eISBN: 978-91-576-9683-0Publisher: SLU Global, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences